Pep Guardiola plays down chance of reunion with Lionel Messi at Manchester City

Pep Guardiola distanced himself on Friday from suggestions that his decision to extend his contract at Manchester City was linked to possibility of Lionel Messi moving to club next year.

City was linked with 33-year-old Messi after he put in a transfer request at Barcelona during offseason. Argentina forward ultimately chose to stay at Barcelona, somewhat against his own wishes, but his contract expires at end of season.

Guardiola signed a new two-year deal with City this week that ties him to club until 2023. He was asked Friday wher possibility of working with six-time world player of year again was motivation for his decision.

“Leo Messi is a player from Barcelona. And you ask me my opinion, as a person who has huge gratitude for what Barcelona has done for me in academy as a football player and, after, a manr who gave me absolutely everything, what I want is he finishes his career re,” Guardiola said.

“That is what I want. I would wish — as I’ve said I don’t kw how many times, maybe a thousand times — I would like as a Barcelona fan for Leo to finish re.”

It is t first time Guardiola has downplayed a talk of a reunion with his former player at City. This time, though, he left door ajar. “But he finishes year of his contract,” he added. “I don’t kw what is going to happen in his mind.

“Right w, he is a Barcelona player. transfer market will be in June, July. We have incredible targets we want to achieve and this is all we have in our minds. rest I cant say anything else.”

(Photo Credit: AP)